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Welcome to the Determined to Dance podcast with your host, Jennifer Hallmark.

Today’s episode, “5 Ways to Overcome Procrastination and the Fear of Failure” focuses on how our worry over falling short doesn’t have to stop us from moving forward.

Are you ready? The world would have us march to its chaotic beat but God invites us to dance in His will and His way. Let’s take a moment to be energized, refreshed, and motivated to face the day, one spin and twirl at a time.

Show Notes: 5 Ways to Overcome Procrastination and the Fear of Failure

Fear of failure. We all battle that subtle, whispering voice that speaks doom and gloom to our soul. If we listen, our ability to dance will diminish and we’ll find ourselves seated in the chairs alongside the back wall of the ballroom.

Thoughts like:

You’ve failed before.

Better not try that.

Who do you think you are?

And, to me, the strongest one of all. What will people think when you mess up? Again?

So, we put off what we want to do, feel called or led to do, and instead back away slowly, waiting for a better day, a time when we feel brave, or maybe…

Never.

Stopped in our tracks by the fear of failure.

Excuses. At some point in 2020, I began to allow excuses a place in my life. My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope, had released in June of 2019. It was an exciting, exhilarating ride full of fun events, meeting people, and the culmination of my hopes and dreams. I enjoyed every moment of it.

But…2020 blew in and all the events and people fell to the wayside. My sales fell too and along with it, part of my self-confidence. I’d read all the articles warning me against the feelings that would come after the initial release of a book but they didn’t help. I began questioning my career choice. Fear followed me as whispers of “you’re a failure” increased in volume.

I had two new novels written. Have you ever tried to shop or market a book during a pandemic? I see you nodding in an understanding way. You might not be an author but fear of failure knows no boundaries. It attacks:

• Young mothers.
• Office employees.
• Teachers.
• Farmers and ranchers.
• Single and married.
• Teens and children.

No matter what you attempt to do (multiply that by 10 in 2020) Fear of failure is there to let you know it’s no use, why try? And just stop and rest. 2021 will be better timing.

Or 2022.

Maybe 2023

I started making excuses. I couldn’t do this writer thing. And it snowballed. I felt like a failure as a mother, grandmother, wife, church member. A boulder of fear, remorse, and guilt weighed on me heavier each day. My excuses grew as every aspect of my life slowed to a crawl.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can face our fears, stop them in their tracks, and overcome them.

How? Five ways drew me out of the pit of excuses and onto the path of moving forward, back in the dance, against all odds.

1. Journaling prayer-I began writing all my feelings in prayer form, releasing my angst to God. I often asked Jesus to come and heal the broken places in my life and to bring me to a place of wholeness.
2. Scriptures and positive quotes/reading. I made a list of ten scriptures that I went to when the fear of failure assailed me. I’ll add them in the show notes of this episode. I placed positive quotes where I could see them and read affirming books.
3. I realized that fear of failure is a feeling unfounded in truth. Throughout my life, I’ve sometimes failed in areas I thought were strong and succeeded in areas that were weak. Many times, what I perceived as a failure, at the time, turned out to be an important life lesson for the next step of the journey.
4. I surrounded myself with people who were for me. Those people who loved me just for me and encouraged me in whatever I put my hand to.
5. I remembered that it’s all about the journey. Not only reaching a certain goal or completing a task. But the journey. Which includes failures and successes, people, learning new things, and simply putting one foot in front of the other. I don’t know how long I have here on this earth and I truly want to make the best of each day.

I’d love to say that I no longer struggle with fear of failure and each day is a walk down rainbow lane, full of sunshine and happy emojis.

That’s not how it is. I struggle at times. Not as much as in the past and that’s good. I’m not waiting anymore for everything to line up and be perfect because that will never happen.

Walt Disney was told he lacked imagination. JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter novel as a single mother on welfare. Harrison Ford was told he would never succeed in Hollywood. James Dyson developed 5,126 failed prototypes of the bagless vacuum cleaner before he succeeded. Oprah Winfrey was fired as a news anchor for being too emotionally invested in her stories. They didn’t let failure stand in their way.

How about you? Are you ready to push the fear of failure aside and go on with your life? Me too. Let’s pray:

Father God, we love you and thank you for the wonderful way you made us. You are pleased and delighted with us as we long to push past fear and procrastination into your perfect will. We give You all our fears and worries and close our ears to the whispering lies of the enemy. Place people in our path to encourage and help as we draw closer to you. We want to continue to dance with You, our perfect partner. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

I’m so glad God is for us. I’m ready to move forward again. Next time, we’ll discuss procrastination and the fear of success, and how it can be as deadly as failure.

Until then, stay determined to dance.

10 Prayer Scriptures Combatting the Feeling of Failure

1. Ephesians 1:4
2. Romans 8: 33-34 & 38-39
3. Romans 8:1-2
4. Romans 5:1-2
5. John 15:9-11
6. Isaiah 41:10
7. Psalm 86:15
8. Psalm 37:23-24
9. Isaiah 54:17
10. Joshua 1:6-9

Future topics include:

Procrastination.

Reflection and Prayer.

What will people think?

Continue to dance.

Links mentioned in this episode:

My website

My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope

Successful people article

Remember: 5 Ways to Overcome Procrastination and the Fear of Failure

Video of the week:

I absolutely love music and each week, I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.